The Hungry Hippo Café

Salter's Hill, Norwood, London SE19 1EA, United Kingdom
$$$ Cafe
(39 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

If you find yourself strolling through the picturesque Norwood Park, a delightful surprise awaits at The Hungry Hippo Café. Nestled within the charming surrounds of Salter's Hill, this café is more than just a stop for refreshments; it's a place where culinary warmth meets genuine hospitality, giving you an experience that lingers long after your visit.

The cafe embraces a rich tapestry of flavors, particularly showcasing an array of homemade Iraqi cuisine that warms the soul. Among the standout offerings, the falafel wraps are simply divine—crispy on the outside while remaining fluffy and flavorful inside, they are a must-try for anyone passing through. Customers rave about these wraps, citing their superb taste and satisfying portion sizes. If you're feeling adventurous, sample other delectable options like the chicken shawarma or the savory lamb wraps, both of which come highly recommended for their authentic, mouthwatering flavors. The café even caters to vegan diners, ensuring that there's something delicious for everyone.

The ambiance at The Hungry Hippo Café is refreshingly casual and inviting. With its cozy setup, the café is an ideal spot to kick back and enjoy your meal. Delightful reviews highlight the friendly service, with patrons remarking on the warmth and kindness of the owner—an enthusiastically welcoming presence who makes everyone feel at home. One delighted visitor fondly recalled their experience, stating, "The lady who runs it was SO lovely and patient" even amidst a group of chaotic diners—a true testament to the exceptional service you'll find here.

In addition to satisfying your hunger, The Hungry Hippo Café is also known for its comforting beverages like ginger tea, which is steeped to perfection and delivers a robust flavor unlike standard tea bags. Meanwhile, the café boasts a variety of indulgent ice creams, promising a sweet ending to your meal, especially on warm sunny days when the outdoor seating becomes a delightful option.

With a plethora of glowing reviews, customers express not only their love for the food but also the heartfelt experience they share with the café’s staff. One reviewer beautifully captured this sentiment, stating, “When food is made with love, you can feel it and taste it!” This connection to the community and the sincerity behind every dish sets The Hungry Hippo Café apart.

So whether you’re a local or a visitor to Norwood, make it a point to discover this hidden gem. Gather your friends or family, indulge in the comforting flavors, and create cherished memories in a cozy corner of London.

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves lunch
Serves dessert
Has seating
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Good for groups
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

12:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Tuesday

12:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Wednesday

12:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Thursday

12:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Friday

12:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Saturday

12:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Sunday

Closed

39 Reviews
mick russell

17 Sep 2025

This charming little cafe is a real find. Situated in lovely Norwood Park, the falafel wraps are delicious and there are lots of other good options on the menu. Friendly service too!

Omotayo Odusanwo

19 Aug 2025

Wow I asked for a recommendation of what to eat here and I was advised falafel, wow! This is too beautiful, the taste is divine and the lady is amazing. I will have to bring my friends here!

David Petit (Bigdave)

18 Aug 2025

I have fond memory's of norwood park...I remember my Mum bringing me here. I must have been about 8 or 9 years old. I used to go on the Yellow Roundabout and a Horse ride

Agnija S

31 Jul 2025

Lovely lady who made us two wraps was very kind and we spoke about how many years she has been working in place. Wrap was tasty and the ginger tea was not a typical water with a tea bag, I could really taste the gi ginger. Viarity of ice creams... overall very simple place but we got to like it a lot ! When food is made with love you can feel it and taste it!

alice

18 Jul 2025

i LOVED this place. A big group of us stumbled across this place after a walk in the park and decided to get food due to the excellent prices. The lady who runs it was SO lovely and patient as all 11 of us made the payment confusing, changed our minds and ordered extras. She easily could have gotten impatient with our chaos, but she stayed friendly and warm the entire time. Due to having had one too many falafel wraps in my lifetime I decided to get the veggie wrap with fried aubergine, halloumi and salad and it was hands down the best wrap I think i’ve ever had. Really delicious flavours and freshly made, I will definitely be visiting again when I’m next in the area. 10/10 experience, one of my favourite food spots i’ve ever been to!

Raz H

06 Jun 2025

Food was tasty. Lovely kind lady behind the counter. I overheard two customers without cash so I'm sure the lady could earn a lot more cash by accepting card via a app. The signage is old and taped on so just needs a few things and I'm sure all the trendy types will flock here. Thank you for the food. Oh yeah some burger sauce for the chips (it's lovely)

Alex

26 May 2025

Great Iraqi food, homemade falafel wraps are amazing (accomodating for vegan). Also I hear the chicken shawarma and lamb wraps are very good too. Also a lovely place to sit in the warmer months, highly recommended.

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